The World Bank has limited comments on its Instagram page after many Nigerians used the platform to urge the global financial institution to stop approving new loans for the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
The reaction followed the federal government’s recent disclosure that it had intensified talks with the World Bank over a proposed $1.25 billion facility expected to support economic reforms and employment opportunities.
Nigeria’s rising debt profile has remained a major concern among citizens. Data released by the Debt Management Office showed that the combined debt of the federal and state governments rose to N159.27 trillion by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025.
President Tinubu also disclosed on Tuesday that the country would spend about $11.6 billion on debt servicing in 2026. The figure marks a sharp increase from the $5.21 billion reportedly spent on external debt servicing in 2025, according to records from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The president said almost half of the country’s expected revenue for 2026 would be used to service debts under the present global financial arrangement.
Following the announcement, several Nigerians stormed the World Bank’s Instagram page to express frustration over the nation’s worsening economic conditions. Many commenters accused the government of mismanaging loans meant to improve the economy and living conditions.
Images shared across social media platforms showed numerous comments from users who complained about inflation, hardship linked to fuel subsidy removal, insecurity, unemployment, and poor infrastructure.
“Dear @WorldBankGroup, why did you lock your comments section on Instagram? Nigerians are telling you to stop giving our Criminal Leaders Billions in Loans that only gets Stolen,” one social media user wrote on Instagram.
Some users also warned that continuous borrowing could worsen the country’s debt burden and strengthen corruption among political elites.
“They want to give so much loan that the country won’t be able to pay back, so they can control our resources,” another user wrote.
“Stop giving Tinubu loans, he is not using it for the citizens,” another commenter added.
The World Bank has yet to issue an official statement on the complaints, although the institution has now restricted comments on its post.
